Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly raged at his Manchester United coach and club in an explosive interview that all-but-ensures he has played his final game at the Old Trafford club.
The Portuguese great is about to head to his fifth – and almost certainly final – World Cup, but in a soon-to-be-released 90-minute interview with English talking head Piers Morgan, Ronaldo fumed at his treatment since a bombshell return to the Premier League last year.
Ronaldo told Morgan he believes the club is trying to “force him out”.
“Yes,” Ronaldo said. “Not only the coach but another two or three guys there around the club.”
Morgan followed up: “At the senior executive level?”
Ronaldo replied in the affirmative, saying: “Yes. I felt betrayed.”
Asked if he thinks United were trying to “get rid” of him, Ronaldo replied: “Honestly, I shouldn’t say that, I don’t know.
“Listen, I don’t care. People should listen to the truth.
“Yes I feel betrayed. And I felt some people don’t want me here. Not only this year but last year too.”
Ronaldo doubled down on his criticism of manager Erik ten Hag, who suspended Ronaldo from the first team after the player’s refusal to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham.
Ronaldo said: “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me. If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”
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Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021 – but says he was shocked to see the lack of improvements at the club, in terms of facilities, nutrition, and technology.
“The progress was zero,” he said. “Since Sir Alex left (2013), I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed.”
“I want the best for the club. This is why I come to Manchester United.
“But you have some things inside that don’t help (us) reach the top level as (Manchester) City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal … a club with this dimension should be top of the tree in my opinion and they are not unfortunately.”
He said: “Nothing changes. Not only the jacuzzi, the pool, even the gym. Even some points of technology, the kitchen, the chefs – who I appreciate, lovely people! They stop in time which surprised me a lot.
“I thought I would see different things, technology, infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see many things I’m used to seeing when I’m 21, 22, 23. It surprised me a lot.”
Ronaldo had been on the brink of signing for rivals Manchester City before legendary manager – and Ronaldo’s mentor – Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to return to Old Trafford.
“I followed my heart,” Ronaldo said, tapping his chest. “He (Ferguson) said to me, ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City’, and I said, ‘OK, Boss’.”
But the dream has turned into a nightmare, with the team slumping to a dismal sixth-place Premier League finish last year. Ronaldo has fallen out of favour with current manager Erik Ten Hag amid disciplinary issues, and has scored just once in 10 league appearances this season.
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Ronaldo sought to leave the club after last season, but failed to garner significant interest among Europe’s elite given his age and massive wage demands.
He praised former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager at Old Trafford when he returned, only to be sacked weeks later.
But he slammed interim manager Ralf Rangnick, one of the most respected executives in club football – but hadn’t managed in years before taking on United – saying: “For example, an interesting point is how a club like Manchester United sacked Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer), they bring in a sporting director Ralf Rangnick which is something nobody understands. This guy is not even a coach! A big club like Manchester United bringing in a sporting director surprised not only me but all the world.
“If you’re not even a coach, how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United? I’d never even heard of him.”
The 37-year-old also took aim at former teammate Wayne Rooney, who recently slammed Ronaldo and warned he could become an “unwelcome distraction” at the club.
Ronaldo said: “I don’t know why he criticises me so badly…probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level.
“I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true…”
Ronaldo was left out of the squad for Manchester United’s win over Fulham today, their final match before the World Cup. When he returns, an exit from the club in the January transfer window appears a certainty.